Hello Families!

I hope you’re having a nice weekend, and getting some quality time with your family.  I just finished watching the Nebraska game, and will be crying non-stop for the next 48 hours.  🙂

Reading

It’s reading unit 2, week 4 this week, and the kids will read stories about how people can help save and rescue animals.  The kids will practice rereading, point of view and suffixes while reading expository texts.  You can expect a spelling list to come home on Monday evening.

Math

In math class, the kids will wrap up their lessons for unit 2.  We began learning the “Order of Operations” last week, and we’ll continue to practice that this week.  We’ll also keep applying what we know to word problems.  Every lesson this week is a single day lesson, so I anticipate homework every evening.  Please remember that declaration is subject to change based on how a lesson goes, but that’s the plan at this point.

Health

This week is Red Ribbon Week.  The kids will learn about the dangers of drugs, alcohol, addiction and high risk behavior.  There is a fun celebration each day, and the kids are encourage to wear different clothes each day to show their spirit.  Please see the attachment to see the spirit week schedule.

Conferences

Conferences will take place on Monday and Wednesday, from 4:00 to 7:00.  If you haven’t yet signed up, please do so with the link below.  If you can’t meet with me, I will send home your child’s progress notes for your to review at your convenience.

Mr. Wachter’s Conference Sign-Up

Click on this link to Zoom-In to your conference: https://lps.zoom.us/j/5261813917

Initially, you’ll be placed in a “waiting room,” and I will invite you in when your conference begins.  If possible, please sign in with your first and last name, so I can confirm I’m inviting the correct person into the conference.  I would rate myself about C+ Zoomer, so please be patient with me as we navigate these sessions!  🙂

Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your weekend!

Eric Wachter

Hello Families!

Welcome to the 2nd quarter of the year.  Wow…time sure does fly sometimes!

Reading and Math

This week, the kids will begin week 2, of unit 3.  Government will be the theme of the week, as the kids will learn about the process and importance of voting.  We’ll practice rereading difficult texts, point of view, prefixes and possessive nouns.  You can expect a spelling list to come home on Monday evening.  If you don’t see a practice list come home, remember you can always find the lists under the spelling tab of the class website. 

Math

In math class the kids will prace a lot of word problems this week.  Our goal in these problems is always to identify the key numbers/information given, and then decide if we’re supposed to multiply or divide, or even add or subtract.  We’ll also continue to practice their facts and build fluency.  I anticipate homework only on Tuesday (2-9) and Thursday (2-10) evenings due to two day lessons.

Conferences

Fall conferences are October 26th and 28th.  If you haven’t had a chance, please sign up for a conference time using the link below.  They will be held via Zoom due to COVID protocols.  If you can’t meet, I will send home the information I will share for you to look over.

Mr. Wachter’s Conference Registration

Remote Learners

Please note that Remote Learners will start joining Guided Reading groups this week via Zoom.  Their GR group times are listed on their weekly schedule.  This will definitely be a learning curve by all to join on time, attend to the lesson via Zoom, and then complete independent work as usual.  I am really looking forward to working with the Zoomers in this way, as I love to hear and help kids read!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

Hello Families!

I hope you had a nice weekend, and were able to get outside and enjoy some of this fall weather.  Looks like it turns a bit chilly at the end of the week, so we better savor it while we can!

Reading and Math

This week, the kids will begin week 2, of unit 2.  Immigration is the theme of the week, and we’ll learn about how America has grown as a result of so many immigrants from all over the world.  We’ll continue practicing theme, and making predictions.  We’ll also practice similes and singular and plural nouns.  Considering it’s only a three day week, we’ll practice spelling words in class, but we won’t take a test on Wednesday.  Therefore, don’t expect a list to come home Monday evening.

Math

In math class the kids will continue to build their fact fluency, and practice word problems.  We’ll also learn about “Square” numbers, and look for patterns in squares.  I anticipate homework on Monday (Lesson 2-6) and Tuesday (Lesson 2-7) evenings, but not Wednesday.  I think they’ve earned a break over the long weekend!

Remote Learners

I hope the new weekly schedule is easier to read!  I’ll continue to do my best to update the “Work Due” checklist, as well.  Please keep in mind all my grand plans are tentative.  You never know when something won’t go as expected, and I have to make adjustments to the pacing.  As a wise man once said, “We have a great plan, from which we will deviate from.” 🙂

Nuisance Items

Thank you so much for helping your child keep toys and trinkets at home last week.  There were far fewer things brought to school, which allowed us to be more focused in class.  I really appreciate your help!

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter

Hello Families!

Hard to believe October is here!  The school year is moving right along, and I guess it’s time for sweaters and jackets!

Reading

This week, the kids will begin Unit 2 in reading.  We’ll learn from a variety of folktales this week, and will practice making predictions, theme and antonyms.  Spelling will resume, and you can expect a list to come home Monday evening.

Spelling

We had a successful trial run taking our last spelling test on Google Forms.  I think it will be a great resource in the future, in case we ever go to full remote schedules.  However, it was very difficult to fit in two tests during that 30-minute window, and I felt like I was rushing the kids.  I also like to be able to send the results home, and wasn’t able to do so with a digital test.  So, I think we’ll go back to paper and pencil tests for the foreseeable future.  We may give it another go later in the year, but I’ll let you know if we make that change.

Math

The kids began Unit 2 in math last Thursday.  This week, we’ll continue to explore multiplication and division strategies.  Specifically, we’ll practice 8s and 7s by the end of the week.  I anticipate homework on the following nights.

Monday – Homework 2-2

Tuesday – Homework 2-3

Wednesday – No Homework

Thursday – Homework 2-4

Friday – Homework 2-5

Remote Learners

I’m trying a new format for the Zoom-In schedules this week.  I think it looks “cleaner” and will be easier to follow.  I hope it helps your child understand what lies ahead each day.

Nuisance Items

I still have a number of kids bringing items from home that should not be at school.  Pokémon cards, candy to give out, balloons, quarters, stuffed animals, etc.  I love all those things too, but they get in the way of our learning.  If you could prevent your child from bringing items like this, I would really appreciate it.

Thanks for reading and have a great week!

Eric Wachter